The Thriving Kids program is set to start providing supports from October 2026, with the aim to be fully rolled out by January 2028. Each jurisdiction will be required to deliver support to children and their families through both national and local services (NDIS, 2026).
What is the Thriving Kids Program and who is it for?
The Thriving Kids program will establish a national system of supports for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs, and their families (Australian Government, 2026).
Components of the Thriving Kids Program
(Australian Government, 2026; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, 2026).
- Strengthening the measures used to identify children’s developmental support needs
- Children’s developmental support needs must get identified early. These needs could be picked up by professionals such as community workers, educators, or GPs. Note: a diagnosis is not required.
- Navigation
- The support systems of children must be able to seek additional help through various access points.
- For example, measures allowing parents, carers and family to find information and obtain advice – using phone lines and a national website.
- Targeted Supports
- Providing services such as psychology, speech pathology, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy to children if required.
- Note: Children will be connected to various allied health professionals and services if they have multidisciplinary needs – having one “key worker” coordinating their care.
- Note: The supports provided will be time-limited and goal-oriented.
- Parenting supports
- Supports to parents, carers and families will be available to help understand how to support their child’s development, offered through online courses, workshops and peer-support groups – providing the opportunity for connections to be built with others who are undergoing similar experiences.
- This includes supported playgroups, where children can work on their social skills (with the support of allied professionals), whilst parents, families and carers can connect.
References
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. (2026). Fact sheet: Foundational Supports and Thriving Kids [Fact sheet]. Australian Government. https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/thriving-kids-fact-sheet?language=en
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. (2026). Thriving Kids Advisory Group Final Report. Australian Government. https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/thriving-kids-advisory-group-final-report?language=en
National Disability Insurance Scheme. (2026). Thriving Kids. https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/11085-thriving-kids